Casino blackjack game with shared card

ABSTRACT

A method to implement a casino blackjack game which uses a community card. A plurality of players are each dealt a single card and the dealer is also dealt a single card. A single community card is also dealt face up. The community card becomes one of the initial cards in each of the players&#39; hands and the dealer&#39;s hand. Thus, each player begins the game using their respective card and the community card as their starting hand. The dealer begins the game using the dealer&#39;s card (typically dealt face down) and the community card as the dealer&#39;s starting hand.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit to provisional application 61/470,932, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present general inventive concept is directed to a method, apparatus, and computer readable storage medium directed to a variation of a casino blackjack game.

2. Description of the Related Art

Blackjack is a well known casino game. What is needed is a new form of blackjack that is easy to deal and exciting for players.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aspect of the present invention to provide an exciting casino blackjack game.

The above aspects can be obtained by (a) receiving a wager from each of a plurality of players; (b) dealing, by a dealer in any order, a player card to each of the plurality of players, a dealer's card to the dealer, and a single community card; (c) allowing each of the plurality of players to resolve their respective hand using each players' respective card and the community card as each players' starting hand; (d) resolving the dealer's hand using the dealer's card and the community card as the dealer's starting hand; and (e) resolving the wager for each of the plurality of players based on predetermined rules.

These together with other aspects and advantages which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1A is an exemplary flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for implementing a casino blackjack game, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 1B is an exemplary flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for resolving a player's hand, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary table layout for implementing a casino blackjack game, according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating hardware that can be used to implement an electronic version of the casino blackjack game, according to an embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

The present inventive concept relates to a method, apparatus, and computer readable storage medium to implement a new version of blackjack. The casino game of blackjack is known in the art, for example see U.S. patent application publication 2003/0155715 which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The game is a variation of blackjack where each player (including the dealer) player's with a same community card that is one of the initial cards in the players (and dealer's) hands. Each player is dealt only one card (typically face up) and the dealer is dealt a hole card (typically face down), and a single community card is dealt (typically face up). Each player plays blackjack with their respective card and the community card forming the player's initial two card hand. Aces can count as 1 or 11 (depending on which gives the respective player/dealer the better hand). The dealer's hand is the dealer's hole-card and the community card. Players can play blackjack normally, although they are not allowed to split (although in a further embodiment players would be allowed to split). If the player does split, then (after the player makes another wager of equal value to the initial wager) additional cards would be dealt on a first split hand until that hand is resolved, then additional cards would be dealt on a second hand until that hand is resolved. The first hand can start with the player's respective card and the second hand can start with the community card (although they can be interchanged since the player's respective card and the community card would be the same rank).

FIG. 1A is an exemplary flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for implementing a casino blackjack game, according to an embodiment.

The method begins with operation 100, wherein each player places their wagers. This can be done as known in the art, wherein players place a wager using casino chips (which can be exchanged for cash at a casino cashier) in betting circles on a casino blackjack betting felt. Optional side bets can also be placed. The dealer can also shuffle the deck (or shoe) at this point. The game can be dealt from a standard single deck of 52 cards, or a shoe of multiple decks (e.g., 2-8 decks). Decks can be shuffled manually or dealt using a continuous shuffling machine.

From operation 100, the method proceeds to operation 102 wherein the dealer deals each player a single card (typically face up).

From operation 102, the method proceeds to operation 104, wherein the dealer deals himself/herself a card (typically face down) and also deals a single community card in the middle of the table (typically face up). In another embodiment (known as the “European rule”, the dealer's hole-card is not dealt until all player's have finished resolving their hands, then the dealer's hole-card can be dealt face up in operation 108).

From operation 104, the method proceeds to operation 106, which resolves each players' hand. Typically, players' hands are resolved without knowing the contents of the dealer's card (because it is dealt face down). This can be done as illustrated in FIG. 1B for each player. Each player's initial hand is formed using each player's respective card (dealt in operation 102) and the community card (dealt in operation 104).

Once all of the players' hands are resolved, the method proceeds to operation 108, which reveals the dealer's face down (or “hole”) card (dealt in operation 104) by turning it face up. Or, alternatively the dealer's hole-card card can be dealt from the deck face up now.

From operation 108, the method proceeds to operation 110, which determines if the dealer's point total is greater than 16. The dealer's point total is determined by adding the numerical value of all of the cards in the dealer's hand (the dealer's hole-card dealt in operation 104 plus the community card dealt in operation 104 plus any additional dealer cards dealt in operation 112).

If the dealer's point total is not greater than 16, then the method proceeds to operation 112 (the dealer “hits”), wherein the dealer draws an additional card. The method then returns to operation 110.

It is noted that operation 110 is based on “house rules” which can vary based on the current casino rules chosen by the casino. For example, in another variation, the dealer can stand on all hard totals greater than 16 (a hard total is a hand where an ace is not counting as 11) and stand on all soft totals greater than 17 (a soft total is a hand where an ace is counting as 11).

If in operation 101, it is determined that the dealer's point total is greater than 16 (the dealer “stands”), then the method proceeds to operation 114 which resolves each players' respective wager. For players that have already busted (during FIG. 1B), these players have already lost the game and their wagers should have already been taken when the player busted (if their wagers were not taken then they can be taken now).

For players that have not busted (players who bust lose regardless of whether the dealer busts), then each players' respective wager can be resolved based on a set of predetermined rules. Such rules can be as follows. If the player's point total (the sum of the numerical values of all cards in the player's hand (the cards in the player's hand are the player's card dealt in operation 102 plus the community card dealt in operation 104 plus any additional cards taken by the player in operation 122) is greater than the dealer's point total (the sum of the numerical values of all cards in the dealer's hand (the cards in the dealer's hand are the dealer's card dealt in operation 104 plus the community card dealt in operation 104 plus any additional cards taken by the dealer in operation 112), then the player wins the wager (typically the player wins even money). If the player's point total is lower than the dealer's point total (and the dealer did not bust), then the player's wager loses (is taken by the dealer). If the dealer busted (the dealer's point total is greater than 21 with no ace counting as 11) then the player wins (since the player has not busted). If the player's point total is equal to the dealer's point total, then the player “pushes” ties the dealer and the player neither wins now loses his/he wager.

In standard blackjack, a player is dealt two initial cards and these two cards are considered the player's initial hand. In the present inventive concept, the player's initial hand is considered the player's card (dealt in operation 102) and the community card (dealt in operation 104). These two cards are used to form the initial player's hand which is then used to resolve the player's hand (by the player either standing on these two cards or hitting/doubling and adding card(s) to the initial hand). In standard blackjack, a dealer is dealt two initial cards and these two cards are considered the dealer's initial hand. In the present inventive concept, the dealer's initial hand is considered the dealer's card (dealt in operation 104) and the community card (dealt in operation 104) which is what the dealer starts with when the dealer's hand is resolved (operations 110-112). Thus, all of the players and the dealer will share one card (the community card) in all of their hands.

FIG. 1B is an exemplary flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for resolving a player's hand, according to an embodiment. When each player resolves their hand in operation 106, FIG. 1B is performed for each player (staring with the player's card dealt in operation 102 and the community card dealt in operation 104) as the player's hand. FIG. 1B is typically performed before the dealer has revealed his/her card so the players do not know the complete dealer's two card initial hand (but the players would see the community card) so the players would know one out of the dealer's two initial cards (similar to standard blackjack wherein players make their player decisions knowing one of the dealer's cards).

In operation 120, the player decides to stand, hit or double. If the player decides to stand, then the method proceeds to operation 130, then this player's hand is resolved and the method returns back to FIG. 1A.

In operation 120, if the player decides to hit, then the method proceeds to operation 122. If in operation 120 the player decides to double, then the method also proceeds to operation 122 but typically the player is only allowed to double if the player has not yet. In an alternative embodiment, the player is permitted to double at any point in time (not just on the initial two cards). If the player doubles, the player must place a double wager (up to the amount of the wager placed in operation 100) which is resolved along with the wager (e.g., the double wager is resolved according to the same rules as the wager (the main wager).

If the player hits or doubles in operation 120, the method proceeds to operation 122, wherein the dealer deals the player a new card (typically face up).

From operation 122, the method proceeds to operation 124, which determines whether the player busts (the player's point total is over 21). If the player's point total is over 21 (with no ace counting as 11), then the method proceeds to operation 128 wherein the player loses (since the player has busted) and the player automatically loses his wager. The player is now out of the game is not eligible to win his/her wager and the method proceeds to operation 130.

If in operation 124 the player has not busted, then the method checks in operation 126 (a logical operation) if the player has doubled in operation 120. If so, then the method proceeds to operation 130 because when the player doubles the player is only allowed to take one additional card. Thus, this operation is a mere check to make sure the player cannot take more than one card after doubling. If in operation 126, the check determines that the player did not double, then the method returns to operation 120 so that the player can choose again to hit or stand (but not double).

FIG. 2 is an exemplary table layout for implementing a casino blackjack game, according to an embodiment.

A physical gaming table 200 shows a community card 208 (dealt in operation 104) and a dealer's card (dealt in operation 104) 209 are shown. This table 200 accommodates seven simultaneous players, although of course tables can accommodate other numbers of players as well. Each player is dealt their respective card (201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207) in operation 102. Each player's area also shows a betting circle (not numbered) wherein each player can place their respective wager (in operation 100).

FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating hardware that can be used to implement an electronic version of the methods described herein, according to an embodiment. The hardware illustrated in FIG. 3A can be used to implement an electronic gaming machine or a home computer programmed to implement the methods described herein. The methods described herein can also be applied to an internet casino. When implementing an Internet Casino, a server (host) serves the game through the Internet to a remote computer, which then allows a player to play the game on the remote computer which is in communication with the server.

A processing unit 300 can be a microprocessor and associated apparatuses (e.g., cache, bus, etc.) and executes instructions to perform the methods herein. The processing unit 300 can be connected to an input device 301 (e.g., touch-screen, keyboard, mouse, etc.) and an output device 302 (e.g., touch-screen, LCD display, speaker, etc.) The output device 302 can display graphical representations of the game described herein, including a graphical representation of the layout, dice (or other random number generator), chips placed, etc. The processing unit 300 can also be connected to a network connection 303 which can connect the processing unit 300 to a computer communications network such as the Internet, LAN, WAN, wifi, etc. The processing unit 00 can also be connected to a bill acceptor/ticket dispenser 304 which can accept cash or cashless tickets and convert the amount therein to electronic credits on the electronic gaming machine. The ticket dispenser can also issue a cashless ticket (upon cashout) to the player that can be redeemed by the player for cash (at a redemption kiosk or a cashier). The processing unit 200 can also be connected to RAM 305 and ROM 306 and a storage device 307 (such as DVD-ROM, CD-ROM drive, EPROM, hard drive, etc.) A non-transitory computer readable storage medium 208 (such as a DVD, CD, EPROM, disk, etc.) can be read by the storage device 307. The storage medium 308 can store instructions (and assets) which can control the processing unit 300 in order to implement the methods described herein.

FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating hardware that can be used to track play at one or more gaming tables, according to an embodiment. Typically, casinos like to track play by players so the players can be offered complimentaries, etc.

A casino table A is associated with a card reader 311 so that a player can present their player's card to the dealer. The dealer can swipe the player's card in the card reader (the card has computer readable coding to electronically identify the card such as a magnetic strip). The card reader 311 can communicate with electronic casino database 312. The casino database 312 can also communicate with card reader 213 associated with gaming table B 314 and other gaming tables/card readers (not pictured). The casino database 312 tracks play at the gaming tables and stores data such as the average bet and time played for players who participate in the player tracking system.

The methods described herein as applied to a physical game include physical structures such as physical cards (using standard decks or 52 cards or other nonstandard decks), physical chips (which can be directly redeemable for cash), and a physical gaming table with a felt layout on a top surface of the table. All methods described herein must be played in either physical or electronic form. All wagers described herein can be made which chips (which can be purchased by the players at the table with cash), which can be directly redeemable for cash at a casino cashier. Card values can use their standard numerical value (e.g., aces count as 1 or 11 (depending on which is best), two's through ten's count as their face value, and jacks, queens and kings all count as 10).

An example of the game will now be presented. Jane, John, and Bob all place $1 wagers on the table. The dealer deals Jane a nine-hearts, John a 5-hearts, and Bob, an ace-spades. The dealer deals a community card of 8-clubs and deals himself a hole-card face down (all other cards are dealt face up). Thus, Jane has an initial (starting) hand (point total) of 17 and stands. John has an initial (starting) hand (point total) of 13 and hits, receives a 9-diamonds for a point total of 22 which means John has busted and loses his $1 wager. Bob has an initial hand (point total) of 19 and stands. The dealer reveals his hole-card to be a 4-spades, thus the dealer's starting (initial) hand (point total) is 12. Because the dealer's point total is less than 17, the dealer hits and draws a 6-clubs for a point total of 18. Since 18 is greater than Jane's point total of 17, Jane loses her $1 wager. With regard to Bob, since Bob's point total of 19 is greater than the dealer's point total of 18, Bob wins his wager and receives a $1 payout (so Bob can keep his original $1 and the $1 payout for a total of $2).

Any description of a component or embodiment herein also includes hardware, software, and configurations which already exist in the prior art and may be necessary to the operation of such component(s) or embodiment(s).

Further, the operations described herein can be performed in any sensible order. Any operations not required for proper operation can be optional. Further, all methods described herein can also be stored on a computer readable storage to control a computer.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

1. A method to player a casino blackjack game, the method comprising: receiving a wager from each of a plurality of players; dealing, by a dealer in any order, a player card to each of the plurality of players, a dealer's card to the dealer, and a single community card; allowing each of the plurality of players to resolve their respective hand using each players' respective card and the community card as each players' starting hand; resolving the dealer's hand using the dealer's card and the community card as the dealer's starting hand; and resolving the wager for each of the plurality of players based on predetermined rules.
 2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the predetermined rules comprise that if a particular player has busted then the particular player automatically loses the wager.
 3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the predetermined rules further comprise, if the dealer busts and the particular player did not bust then the player wins the wager.
 4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the predetermined rules further comprise if a point total for the particular player is greater than a point total for the dealer then the player wins the wager and if the point total for the particular player is lower than the point total for the dealer then the player loses the wager.
 5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the allowing each of the plurality of players to resolve their respective hand provides each player an option 1) standing; 2) hitting; 3) doubling.
 6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the allowing each of the plurality of players to resolve their respective hands does not allow each player to split.
 7. An apparatus to player a casino blackjack game, the apparatus comprising: an input device; an output device; a processing unit operationally connected to the input device and the output device, the processing unit configured to perform: receiving a wager from each of a plurality of players; dealing, by a dealer in any order, a player card to each of the plurality of players, a dealer's card to the dealer, and a single community card; allowing each of the plurality of players to resolve their respective hand using each players' respective card and the community card as each players' starting hand; resolving the dealer's hand using the dealer's card and the community card as the dealer's starting hand; resolving the wager for each of the plurality of players based on predetermined rules.
 8. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the predetermined rules comprise that if a particular player has busted then the particular player automatically loses the wager.
 9. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the predetermined rules further comprise, if the dealer busts and the particular player did not bust then the player wins the wager.
 10. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein the predetermined rules further comprise if a point total for the particular player is greater than a point total for the dealer then the player wins the wager and if the point total for the particular player is lower than the point total for the dealer then the player loses the wager.
 11. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein the allowing each of the plurality of players to resolve their respective hand provides each player an option 1) standing; 2) hitting; 3) doubling.
 12. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the allowing each of the plurality of players to resolve their respective hands does not allow each player to split. 